For centuries, people have been gathering in churches on New Year’s Eve for a Watch Night to welcome in the new year. But for African Americans, and especially this year, the event has special significance.

This New Year’s Eve marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln.

Many black men, women and children gathered in their churches on the last day of the year to give thanks to God, as they did every year, but also to rejoice over the first step the country was making toward the freedom of slaves.

They waited for word — via telegraph, newspaper or word of mouth — that Lincoln’s Proclamation had been issued, according to NPR.org. In fact, it’s said Lincoln’s hand shook, making it difficult to sign his name because of his certainty he was doing the right thing.

“The slaves actually waited in churches for Lincoln to make his final proclamation declaring that all slaves in the U.S. were free,” said Eldress Veronica Jackson of Emmanuel Hill Memorial FWB Church in Kinston.

Many area churches are holding their Watch Nights or New Year’s Eve service during the last couple of hours of the year.

Some churches and other institutions around the country will be holding special events. The National Archives is celebrating by displaying the original Proclamation document over the New Year’s weekend and hosting a number of programs. The Emancipation Proclamation, by executive order, freed slaves held in states then in rebellion against the Union.

Pastor Sandra Johnson of Tree of Life Ministries in Kinston said Watch Night is traditionally a time to sing songs and give testimonies as to what God has done for members of the church.

“We give Him glory for the past year,” she said, “and we thank Him for the incoming year.”

Afterward, the congregation shouts out “Happy New Year!” and gives greetings to one another.

Pastor Claude Daughety of A Ray of Hope Christian Church and Ministries in Kinston said his church holds a regular service with praise and worship, testimonies and a sermon.

“We’ll be praying at midnight,” he said.

Jackson said Night Watch is an opportunity to review the past year and look ahead for blessings. Prayer and exultations are an important part of the service, she said.

Emmanuel Hill Memorial will also have a concert with a soloist, the Rev. Bonita Burney Simmons, and after midnight the church will be serving breakfast — a tradition in some churches.

This year, the celebration may simply be what it is every year, but with an added significance for some.

“We celebrate for all the things we normally do for the New Year,” Jackson said, “but it has an added dimension to it. We always recognize that it’s part of our giving thanksgiving to God.”